Andy made us proud

Published on Saturday 4 July 2009 19:54

SCOTLAND and the rest of the United Kingdom can take pride in the achievement of Andy Murray. To put his performance into perspective: no Briton has reached the Wimbledon men's singles final since 1938; at the age of just 22, Murray became one of the last four surviving competitors; on every visit to Wimbledon he has progressed a stage further.

This is not like Tim Henman – eliminated four times in the semi-final – it is a steady progression towards potential champion. As Murray said after his defeat: "The way that I played this year I have a chance. If I keep playing well, I believe I can win a Grand Slam." So do many observers. With the US Open offering conditions arguably more favourable to him, and with less expectation on his shoulders, it is all still to play for. Murray already has one achievement to his credit: English commentators are now making jokes along the lines of "this burgeoning British champion – sorry, Scottish loser", in wry acknowledgement of the double standard they have applied to Scottish sports stars in the past. At last, they get it.

English sports fans are perfectly willing to take Scots to their hearts – Sir Jackie Stewart and Sir Alex Ferguson to name but two have succeeded in the past – and they can similarly embrace this one. Andy Murray's best friends would not describe him as charismatic, but, more importantly, he is focused. As for the vexed question whether he is Scottish or British, that is for him alone. Regardless of which flag is flown by his supporters, he has done us all proud.